How To Tell The Difference Between Good Truck Tarps And Other Materials

Good truck tarps are going to have a mesh count in the upper end of the range and be of a heavier denier than other tarps. These tarps are made at a weight of 6.5 ounces per square yard and at 1200 denier with a mesh count of 14x14, all that adds up to strength you can count on.

This style of tarp is manufactured with the long-haul trucker in mind; a heavy-duty coat of polyethylene ensures the protection of your cargo from the wind and weather. The covering is made to be tear resistant, mildew resistant, and acid resistant, offering you even more protection.

Due to truckers journeys across the country, they understand the importance of protecting their cargo. Having the right truck tarps to cover the goods is essential. Trucking industries depend on heavy duty material that will last season after season. The thickness of the material, thread count, the spacing of the grommets and the poly coating of the tarp are all factors that assure the material will last longer. These are the factors that truckers need to pay attention to when shopping for quality tarp covers that need to withstand heavy weather and long term conditions.

With heat-sealed interior seams on this model, there are no worries of the seams coming apart. All of the hems are reinforced with a heavy-duty 1/4-inch triple-braided rope. Double stitching in hems, corners, and seams make these tarpaulins the strongest on the market.

D rings in a 1" size on nylon webbing, set every 2 inches ensures you will be able to fasten off the covering as necessary. Having a load unsecured is a safety hazard and an unnecessary danger that can cause accidents. Secure it as tight as you want with super heavy-duty tarpaulins that are constructed specifically with big rigs and large flat beds in mind.

If you are transporting a dangerously heavy load and need the strongest tarp on the market, then you need one of those steel tarpaulins. They are not made of steel, but they are made to be incredibly heavy duty, durable and of the best quality materials. There are 2 rows of D rings along each side that are sewn under rows of 2-inch seat-belt webbing and placed every 24 inches. Whether you are looking for light-duty truck bed tarpaulins or extreme steel heavy-duty commercial truck tarps, there are reputable online suppliers that have the best product available on the market.

Michael Stein is the president of Tarps Plus and is an expert on tarps and the tarp industry.

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Link between Human Trafficking, CDL Training, and Jason’s Law

by Donna Smith

Recently the awareness for human trafficking within truck stops has been a serious topic of discussion, and truckers are being educated and made aware in order to help combat the problem. The human trafficking industry is a billion dollar industry, destroying millions of lives worldwide, including hundreds of thousands in the United States.

To understand human trafficking one must understand that many human trafficking victims within the USA are runaways , kidnap victims, or immigrants brought to the US with hopes of a better life. All groups are forced into either slave labor or prostitution , much of which occurs at truck stops. This is no secret to truckers as truck stop prostitutes have been known as, “lot lizards” or “fender lizards.”   What truckers haven’t known in the past however, is that many of these, “lot lizards” that are walking the truck stops, are actually victims of human trafficking, being forced into the world of prostitution.
Now that a national awareness is occurring for the human trafficking crimes taking place, truckers are becoming the ears and eyes for these types of incidents.  More and more truckers are realizing that these “lot lizards” who many times were annoying to them, roaming the truck stops and knocking on their doors during the night and interrupting their sleep, are actually victims of horrific crimes.

The new truck driver awareness brought on by Truckers Against Trafficking and Chapter 61 Ministries  has encouraged drivers to call the national hotline number 1-888-373-7888 when they see suspicious activity ( very young girls, bodily bruising/ scratching, do not speak English)  This was the case for a trucker who saved 9 lives and  broke up an organized multi state trafficking ring. Recently on FaceBook, we were made aware of another trucker who called authorities in Laredo, TX as he noticed suspicious activity and was able to save victims lives from human trafficking and forced prostitution.

Truckers Against Trafficking, Kendis Paris, will be conducting a seminar at the Memphis Trucking Expo on Octobers 23rd which we will be attending.
Kylla Leeburg, who is also one of the founders of the group has been on Truth about Trucking “Live” as well as other radio shows such  The Truckstar Radio with Daniel Audet and Road Dog on Sirius satellite radio, discussing the need for truckers to become involved with the human trafficking problem.

Kylla, Kendis, and mom Lynn ( TruckersAgainstTrafficking) will also be having a series of webinars, which can be watched from your computer, designed to educate people (especially truckers) on how they can help eliminate human trafficking as it hides behind the mask of “willful prostitution.” The webinars will be brought to you with the assistance of Transport for Christ.

Part of Transport For Christ Press ReleaseEducational Webinars Cover Human Trafficking for Trucking andTravel Plaza Industry MembersHuman trafficking is a $32-billion-a-year business,destroying countless lives andenslaving its victims, the majority of whom arewomen and children. Most Americansare aware of the problem in Asia and Africa, butare oblivious to that fact that itis big business here in the United States.To a great extent, domestic sex trafficking is occurringalong our nation's highways and at its truck stops.Human traffickers target truckers, because of theirtransient nature, at truck stops, rest areas andrestaurants as consumers of the children and women they sell.Pimps have also been known to recruit truck drivers totransport girls over state lines, removing some of therisk from their shoulders andplacing it on those of the trucker and his/her company.Transport For Christ is partnering with a Chapter 61 Ministries and Truckers Against Trafficking to help educatethe trucking and travel plaza industries,as well as the general public, about thetruth surrounding human trafficking inAmerica and steps they can take to fight it.Transport For Christ will host informationalwebinars presented by Chapter 61Ministrieson October 5, 13, and 26 at 9 p.m. EDT.TO attend the webinar please click on the link for theday you would like to attend.Tonight Oct 5th at 9PM esthttps://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/511390728For more information:tfcio@transportforchrist.orgor contactScott Weidner, President and CEOof Transport for Christ (717) 426-9977

We’d like to bring to the attention an article that was in USA Today , which we believe actually ties together much of the criminal activity that truck drivers experience and face due to their lifestyle, specifically: the truck driver shortage, cdl training, lack of safe truck parking, and human trafficking.
The article basically spoke about the 459 unsolved highway murders that have occurred over many years, stating that most of the 200 suspects are long haul truckers. The fact is, that the lifestyle of trucking is an appealing cover for someone with a criminal mind. How easily they could blend in with the other 4 million drivers, having a legitimate job, and moving from state to state legally as they conduct their series of criminal acts.
At a time when the fear of a truck driver shortage  is igniting CDL schools and Company training programs to be on peak recruitment, it is crucial that these schools and programs conduct a complete background check on all individuals, especially since many of these programs are funded through government grants and subsidies paid by our tax dollars. It would be unimaginable to think that a serial killer is being sent through CDL school and training on the backs of the American Tax Payer.

The article also brought up the problem with prostitution within the truck stops and travel plazas, but nowhere did it mention the problem of human trafficking with regards to prostitution , which we felt was odd that not one of those interviewed made the connection( NATSO or OOIDA), even though the topic has been of major concern within the trucking world.  Also, no one mentioned the need for more safe trucking parking!  This would have been a golden opportunity to discuss the need for Jason’s Law and how many of the drivers who are already suffering from the lack of available safe truck parking (which has drastically interfered with their ability to obtain their federally mandated 10 hours rest), also complain that their sleep is additionally interrupted by the many prostitutes who roam the truck parking areas knocking on their cabs. This should have been mentioned as most of the murdered victims discussed in USA Today  were prostitutes!
See all the connections now?

We see the many of these problems relating:

1-The criminal suspects within the trucking industry can be deterred by a more complete and thorough background investigation of CDL student and driver applicants. This is a must if we are to maintain a well deserving respectable image for the professional truck driver.

2-the need for more safe truck parking ( Jason’s Law) which would alleviate much of the problems for drivers having to drive fatigued because of the lack of parking and also interrupted  sleep by pan handlers, pimps and prostitutes….who very well could be human trafficking victims.

3- The human trafficking problem which exists in much of the truck stops and travel plazas, which also requires the need for more safe truck parking…the key word is “safe”

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cdl training, chapter 61 ministries, Jason's law- H.R.2156 S971, Kendis Paris, Kylla Lee burg, Memphis Trucking Expo, natso, prostitution, transport for Christ, truckers against human trafficking, trucking, Trucks Against Trafficking, USA today, webinars

Tagged with: cdl training • chapter 61 ministries • Jason's law- H.R.2156 S971 • Kendis Paris • Kylla Lee burg • Memphis Trucking Expo • natso • prostitution • transport for Christ • truckers against human trafficking • trucking • Trucks Against Trafficking • USA today • webinars

Filed under: Jobs and Careers • Politics • Safety • Truck Driving Jobs • Truck Stops • otr trucking • truck driving schools

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The Differences between Owner Operators and Company Drivers

There are thousands of trucks out there on the road each day, hauling goods and supplies to various locations. Some of these drivers are owner operators and others are company drivers. The jobs they do may be the same but there are plenty of differences that separate the two. If you are interested in driving a truck you want to take a look at what each one has to offer.

For those who have just received their CDL, becoming a company driver is generally the best option. At least in the beginning as it will allow you to decide if operating a semi truck is really where your interests lie. It will also help you gain work experience and built a reputation for being a quality truck driver.

Company drivers are provided a truck by their employer. They are generally paid by the hour if they drive locally and by the mile if they drive over the road. The company is responsible for the truck payment, the insurance, and all the repairs. They also pay for the fuel expenses. Many company drivers find they get to be in late model trucks because they replace the older ones in the fleet on a regular basis.

Some expenses that a company driver will have while on the road are food, showers, and phone calls. Some employers offer a per diem which is an amount per day they allow for such expenses. This per diem is added to their paycheck so the driver still needs to pay for it out of their pocket and then be reimbursed. If the driver doesn’t spend the amount offered per day then they can generate some additional income as well.

Most company drivers have the option of buying health insurance and they may be eligible for paid vacation time after they have been with the company for awhile. The specifics of these offers depend on the specifications of the company.

Owner operators are able to generate more income than company drivers, but they also have a high overhead. They are responsible for their truck payment, truck repairs, insurance, and maintenance expenses. Still, they have the freedom to haul what they want to through a broker or by leasing their truck to a company. They have more say in the loads they haul than a company driver.

They also have to pay for their own meals, showers, and fuel. An owner operator needs to make sure they put enough money away to cover their taxes as none will be taken out of their paychecks. They also need to have money ready for repairs should the need arise. Owner operators have to secure their own health insurance and if they take any time off, they won’t be paid for that period of time.

There are many legitimate expenses that an owner operator can take on their tax return. It is important to keep all receipts and to categorize them into the different areas of deductions. Being prepared for the end of the year filing is important so this paperwork should be carefully maintained.

There are many exciting jobs out there for truck drivers, but the decision to be an owner operator or a company driver is an important one. The decision is going to affect the amount of money you can earn, your expenses, and the responsibilities you will have in the trucking industry.